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Mercedes relies on V350 MPV, and SLS to reach sales targets
In a bid to answer challenges from competitors and to meet sales targets, Mercedes-Benz Indonesia will start launching its 15 products this year, including the V350 multi purpose vehicle (MPV) and the SLS AMG sports car
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n a bid to answer challenges from competitors and to meet sales targets, Mercedes-Benz Indonesia will start launching its 15 products this year, including the V350 multi purpose vehicle (MPV) and the SLS AMG sports car.
The German carmaker CEO Rudi Borgenheimer told a press conference at Losari coffee plantation Saturday that the launching of the new line-up in the premium market should help Mercedes-
Benz maintain its position as a market leader.
“We are convinced Mercedes-Benz will maintain market domination at the level of 68-69 percent as the premium car market is expected to enjoy growth up to the level of 4,650 sales in 2010,” he said.
Mercedes forecast that they would sell up to 3,150 cars this year out of the estimated market total to be shared between six brands – including Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, Volvo, Lexus and Audi. Last year, Mercedes dominated the premium market segment with a 69 percent market share, with 4,150 sales.
Roland Staehler, the company’s sales and marketing director, said that besides relying on new variants on the C- and E-classes, Mercedes would boost sales of V350 MPVs.
“The V350 will serve as a tough competitor for the [Toyota] Alphard,” he said.
Borgenheimer said that many Mercedes owners picked Alphard as their alternative vehicle and claimed that Mercedes should get back their customers. “For MPVs priced over Rp 1 billion, the V350 will be a good option and is expected to gain many customers.”
Mercedes will also launch the E63 AMG and E-Class Cabriolet (convertible).
“The SLS is aimed to amaze car enthusiasts. It will have 571 horse power and can speed up from 0 to 100 kilometers in 3.8 seconds. However, its top limit is set to 317 kilometers per hour,” Staehler said.
On the sideline of the test drive of the newest C- and E-classes from Losari to Yogyakarta, Borgenheimer said that 15 people had lined up to buy the SLS, tagged at Rp 4.6 billion.
Later Saturday in Yogyakarta, Mercedes-Benz Indonesia named PT Cakrawala Automotif Rabhasa (CAR) as the dealer of the year 2009 out of 19 authorized dealers nationwide for the fourth consecutive year. Mercedes also handed over the regional service excellence award for Southeast Asia to PT Hartono Raya Motor Surabaya. The company was the fifth Indonesian dealer to have won the award.
